- Lindsey Markwood
Cruise Terminology
Updated: Jul 31
Embarkation: Getting onto the ship for the first time during your cruise.
Disembarkation: means getting off the ship at the end of the cruise.
Port: Left side of the ship as you face forward.
Starboard: Right side of the ship as you face forward.
Aft: Back of the ship
Midship: Middle of the ship
Bow: Front of the ship
Forward: Front of the ship
Leeward: the side of the ship that is sheltered from the wind.
EMuster or Muster Drill: Safety drill required of all cruises prior to sailing. It must be completed by all passengers.
Gangway: The opening(s) in the ship through which passengers may board.
Knot: A unit of speed. One knot is one nautical mile per hour, or 1.15 land miles per hour.
Wake: The visible track of turbulence caused by a ship's movement in water
Shiptime: The time onboard the ship. Shiptime may be different than the current time zone the ship is in.
Shoretime: The time at the port/destination.
Tender: . A smaller ship, a tender will ferry passangers between the cruise ship and the port as the cruise ship is not docked at the port.
Bridge: This is where the captain and their crew steer the cruise ship.
Fleet: All the ships within the same company.
Funnel: The ship's smoke stack. You can sometimes see the ship's logo on there.
Maiden Voyage: the first time a cruise ship sails